Sea Turtle Monitoring Volunteer Program in Madagascar

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Sea Turtle Monitoring Volunteer Program in Madagascar with Volunteering Solutions, and assist the staff in identifying nesting areas by visiting remote beaches on islands surrounding the island of Nosy Be. This program gives volunteers the opportunity to get up close to these beautiful creatures whilst helping to ensure the health and survival of the species into the future.

Two species of turtle are monitored; the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the endangered Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The Sea Turtle Monitoring Program runs year-round with the focus of the program shifting depending on the season. During the nesting season from November to April each year, when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, the project focuses on preventing the poaching of mothers and nests, collecting data on the nesting turtles and their eggs, and moving nests that have been laid in locations that are unsuitable for hatching success.

During the off nesting season, from May to October, you will be assisting us in establishing areas of turtle activity, identifying population size and re-establishing nesting beaches. When tides allow, you will also be conducting seagrass surveys, turtle watches and beach cleans.

Currently, large numbers of turtle eggs are being plundered on many of the remote beaches, and hatchlings and fully reproductive turtles are shockingly being harvested for the souvenir trade. Due to the already naturally low survival rate of turtle hatchlings, this is having devastating impacts on population numbers.

You will be a part of creating a new research database in a relatively unstudied area. You will be out searching for signs of turtle activities most days and many nights. If we find turtles or eggs during our surveys, you will also get the opportunity to handle these animals as part of the data collection process.

Volunteers in this program gain the following skills -

Visual encounter surveys
Animal Handling experience (only in nesting season)
Track surveys
GPS use
Turtle Identification techniques
Scientific data collection
Data processing and analysis

For those who love to be surrounded by animals and are keen to volunteer for the well-being of the turtles, there can be nothing better than this!

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers usually arrive on Sunday and the program will start from Monday.

Monday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Orientation Presentation
10:00 Health and Safety Presentation
11:00 Complete and sign forms and paperwork
12:00 Lunch
14:00 Walk to the neighboring village of Ampang for a tour led by staff
17:00 Return to camp (walk or by boat at a cost of 2,000 MGA/person)
18:00 Dinner
18:45 Daily Board Briefing

Tuesday: First official day on project! Generally, you will be doing hands-on activities integrated with staff and other more experienced volunteers. Staff will go over activities and times after dinner on Monday so you know where to go.

Volunteer Activities:

Each program has morning and afternoon activities. After dinner each day, we have a briefing to go over activities for the following day.
Note: Schedule will vary depending on the project, tides, etc.

Sample Schedule:

05:00-07:00 Breakfast on camp
06:00-08:00 Start of morning activities on the project
12:00 Lunch on camp
14:00 Start of afternoon activities on the project
16:00-17:00 Volunteer activities for the day usually conclude
18:00 Dinner in the camp
18:45 Board Briefing to go over activities for the following day

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Being a volunteer for this program, you'll be mostly assigned the following work:

To map and identify beaches used as nesting sites
To identify species diversity and numbers
To engage and establish a relationship with the local communities enabling us to include them in our conservation efforts
To monitor and remove plastic waste and other harmful products from the beaches

Apart from that, identifying and implementing protection measures for these breeding sites is paramount to safeguarding the species in this area. You'll be guided by the Project Coordinator from time to time, and oriented about the work that has to be done.

The following Program Activities are undertaken in the program -

Turtle Watch
Seagrass Snorkelling Surveys
Active Turtle Survey (ATS’s)
Beach Cleanups
Eco Bricks making
Community Engagement

Project Requirement

If you plan to volunteer in Madagascar, you need to be at least 18 years old. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if you are accompanied by your parents. Volunteers should be highly energetic; have a positive attitude to make a change; possess a certain level of fitness, since the island life is not as easy as it might seem!

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Living

Airport Transfer

Volunteers should arrive on Nosy Be Fascene Airport for pick-up on Sunday before their start date. They will be met at the airport or boat port (if arriving overland) and transferred to the volunteer camp on Nosy Komba. The boat ride from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba takes about 45 minutes with the last boat of the day departing around 15:00. If volunteers not arrive in time for the last boat to camp, our staff will assist in getting them to their hotel (we can provide hotel recommendations). The following day they will be met at a pre-determined time and place and transferred to the camp. If there is time before the last boat departs for Nosy Komba, our staff will give them a tour of the town of Hellville where they can purchase snacks, a local SIM card, draw money at an ATM, etc. It is important to note that in addition to time constraints with boat departures and tides, shops and stores all close for siesta between noon and 14:30/15:00 each day.

For your departure: You are responsible to arrange and pay for your own transport back to the airport, however, we are happy to help you book your transport as needed.

Accommodation

We have 2 accommodation facilities in Madagascar. The first one, Turtle Cove, is built into the steep slopes of Nosy Komba, which is a multi-level compound overlooking the spectacular coral reef below. Climb stone stairs up from an idyllic beach to the main house situated above the dive deck and take in the stunning view of the ocean extending far across all the way to Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. The main house accommodates senior staff members and serves as a meeting place and hangout for volunteers during the day. Large decks line the front of the main house complete with hammocks, bean bags, and benches.

Volunteers can expect to share a hut with four to six other volunteers and will need to bring their own bedding and towels. The huts have several bathroom facilities equipped with running water, flush toilets and cold water showers. There is also a work area for volunteers as well as lockable storage boxes available for each hut to store small valuables. Volunteers should also bring a padlock to secure personal items in their luggage when not in use.

The second camp is located on mainland Madagascar in the small remote village of Ampohana. Volunteers are accommodated in communal A-Frame bungalow fitted with double bunk beds. Our camps are eco-friendly with solar-powered lighting throughout. There are no charging facilities for electronic devices; volunteers are encouraged to bring a solar panel and battery pack to keep their devices charged. Charging ports are available in the neighboring village of Ampang, about a half-hour hike from camp.

We do have an onsite generator for staff use located at our main camp, though volunteers are welcome to charge small devices (no laptops) from this if there is space. Bear in mind that in an effort to go green, the use of the generator is minimal, sometimes only once per week or less.

It'll be great fun to live this life away from the network, where you'll get ample time to bond with your fellow mates, share your stories and plan out how to make a difference.

Meals

Three meals per day are provided seven days per week. Each meal is prepared by our on-site cooks using traditional Malagasy cooking methods using fresh, locally grown, seasonally available produce. Most meals have a rice base with beans and vegetables on the side (or over rice).

Fruits and vegetables served will change depending on the season and availability of local produce. Some meals will include fish/seafood, beef (zebu), or chicken. Meat, when part of a meal, is typically prepared with a sauce, cut into small pieces, and served over rice. In addition to bananas, breakfast usually consists of either baguettes and jam, eggs or crepes.

There is a vegetarian option for all meals. Due to logistics and the limitations of our remote location, we cannot provide a vegan option. Vegans can help themselves to the vegetable-based foods prepared, but will also need to supplement their diet with foods purchased off camp. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know. We will do or best to provide accordingly, however you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home.

Know that you are volunteering in a remote region of a developing country and flexibility is necessary.

During your Free Time

A few popular weekend activities/places to visit are listed below.

Lokobe Forest Reserve
Discovery SCUBA Dive
SCUBA Dive Training
Explore different areas of Nosy Komba with a local guide and learn about medicinal plants, the endemic wildlife and more
Tanikely Natural Reserve
Visit Nosy Iranja or Nosy Sakatia (swimming and snorkeling)
Whale Shark Watching (seasonal)
Visit the Sacred Tree or Sacred Waterfall on Nosy Be
Hike up Mount Passot on Nosy Be
Visit Lemur Land park on Nosy Be, or the Lemur Park on Ampang Village on Nosy Komba
Ankarana National Park
Amber Mountain National Park
Visit plantations on the mainland in the city of Ambanja
Visit the city of Diego Suarez including the Emerald Sea, the Three Bays, Tsingy Rouge rock formation and more

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$510
2 Weeks	$770
3 Weeks	$1040
4 Weeks	$1345
5 Weeks	$1645
6 Weeks	$1925
7 Weeks	$2225
8 Weeks	$2500

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

Inclusions

24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Orientation
Sleeping accommodation on camp for the program duration
Three meals per day, seven days per week on camp
Supervision and training by staff
Airport pick-up in Nosy Be
Transportation to program sites
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Not included

Flights
Visa costs
Personal items
Travel and health insurance
Airport drop-off

FAQ's

Flights and Visa

Can I know more about the flights and Visa?: Volunteers may fly directly into Nosy Be Fascene International Airport (airport code NOS), or into the capital city, Antananarivo (Tana for short; airport code TNR). If you fly into Tana, you can take a domestic flight from Tana to Nosy Be, or travel overland via Taxi Brousse or private car to Nosy Be. We can help arrange your overland transport if needed.

All visitors require visas and a one to two-month single entry visa may be obtained on arrival at the airport. This may be extended to in-country to a maximum of three months. We do recommend you check with the Consulate General as visa requirements can change at any time. A passport valid for 6 months after the date of return is required. Please ensure you have at least two blank pages available in your passport before the commencement of travel.

Application and Program Details

Can I volunteer as part of a group?: Yes, you are welcome to take part in the Programs in Madagascar as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer in Madagascar programs together.
How do I get to the program location?: The in-country coordinator will guide & assist you reach the program location, on the first day of the program.
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Madagascar?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on a first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and reserve your spot in the program well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling an online form and pay the application fee.

Once you complete your application, your individual 'My Account' will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active. You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’.
I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol?: Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the programs?: You must be respectful towards the people living on the island

You must be tolerant towards others and respect the differences

You must welcome teamwork but also be able to work alone

You must be at least 18 years old

You have to be a proactive person, we welcome volunteers with initiative and creativity

You must have at least an Intermediate level of English
Does VolSol provide a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.

Health and Safety

Can I know more about the vaccinations required?: The https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/madagascar"; target="_blank">CDC recommended the following vaccinations for travelers visiting Madagascar: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.
Why should I volunteer in Madagascar?: Well, we believe you need no reason to be a part of something incredibly meaningful, such as volunteering in Madagascar. However, in case you are still wondering why you should be a part of this journey, here are a few reasons that would possibly convince you to join us.

It'll be a golden opportunity for you to take a closer look at nature and understand how the flora & fauna of this island has evolved over time, disconnecting from the rest of the world.

You'll get to work with professionals and gain some valuable surveying skills.

In case you join the Marine Conservation Program, you'll get a PADI certificate that'll benefit you in the days ahead as well.

You'll get to meet some amazing people from different parts of the world, and experience an amazing exchange of skills and thoughts.

If you are keen to learn and experience something new, then there can be nothing better than this!

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/"; target="_blank">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/"; target="_blank">Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer"; target="_blank">Meet a Volunteer page on our website.